Kalanchoe plant named ‘Forever Midi Red’

ABSTRACT

‘Forever Midi Red’ is a new variety of  kalanchoe  that exhibits rich red flowers with a long blooming period.

Botanical classification: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.

Varietal denomination: ‘Forever Midi Red’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana known by the varietal name ‘Forever Midi Red’. The new variety was discovered in Lompoc, Calif. The new variety is a result of cross breeding Seedling #98-231-2 (female parent) (unpatented) and Seedling #97-279-2 (male parent) (unpatented). The purpose of the breeding program was to develop a compact, long-lasting and self- branching cultivar. Comparisons between the new variety and its parents cannot be made, as the parental varieties no longer exist. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by tip cuttings in Lompoc, Calif. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. Characteristics that distinguish the new variety from others known to the breeder include:

-   -   • Mounded and compact growing habit;     -   • Exhibits rich red flowers that do not fade;     -   • Early to flower, 9 to 9 1/2 weeks from the start under short         days;     -   • Able to be finished in 10 cm pots without growth regulators;     -   • Small leaf size allows for easier sleeving and shipping;     -   • Does not heat delay in night temperatures above 22° C.;     -   • Long blooming with indeterminant inflorescence;     -   • Highly self-branched without pinching; and     -   • Resistant to checking of the red flowers.

The new variety was grown in a 10 cm. container in Lompoc, California in a greenhouse under Dynaglass with 30% shade and 3500 to 4000 foot candles. The new variety was grown under natural, short days having temperatures of 20-22° C. and night temperatures of 16-18° C. The new variety initiates roots in 14 days at 21° C. The time to produce a rooted plant is 21 days at 21° C. Its rooting habit is dense and freely branching with fine and fibrous roots.

Further, the following Tables illustrate differences between the new variety and Kalanchoe varieties ‘Aroi’(unpatented) and ‘Molly’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP12,307), respectively:

TABLE 1 Characteristics ‘Forever Midi Red’ ‘Aroi’ Flower color 45B 42A Stigma color White with reddish tint White Leaf petiole 12 mm 8 mm length Flower bud 44C near tip 39A near tip color 144A near calyx end 146B near calyx Petal size 8 mm long by 6 mm wide 6 mm long by 5 mm wide

TABLE 2 Characteristics ‘Forever Midi Red’ ‘Molly’ Flower color 45B Between 45B and 57B Growth habit Mounded Upright Stigma color White with reddish tint White Plant height 14 cm 18 cm Petal size 8 mm long by 6 mm wide 6 mm long by 5 mm wide

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics were collected by asexual reproductions carried out in Lompoc, Calif. The color readings were taken indoors under 3500-4000 foot candles of light. The new variety was twelve weeks from the start of short days when described. Color references are primarily to the 1966 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Form: Mounded. -   Height (from soil to top of flowers): 14 cm. -   Plant diameter: 20-22 cm. -   Vigor: Vigorous. -   Branching habit: Highly self-branching. -   Main stem:     -   -   Color.—146B.         -   Texture.—3 Glabrous.         -   Length.—10 cm.         -   Diameter.—1 cm.         -   Internode length.—12 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Color.—146B.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Length.—Basal: 8 to 9 cm. Upper: 7-8 cm.         -   Diameter.—3 mm.         -   Internode length.—8-10 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Quantity.—8-10. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Number of leaves per stem.—2 .         -   Size of leaf.—Length: 8 -9 cm. Width: 5-5.5 cm.         -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Ovate.         -   Shape of apex.—Acute to ovate.         -   Shape of base.—Acute to truncate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, coriaceous and succulent.         -   Apect.—45° angle to stem.         -   Margin type.—Crenate, moderately lobed, shallow cut.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 146A. Lower surface:             146B. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 147A. Lower surface:             147B.         -   Petiole.—Length: 12 mm. Diameter: 6 mm. Color: 147A.             Texture: Glabrous.         -   Veins: Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface:             147A. Lower surface: 147B.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: January in Lompoc, Calif.—Short days start     around October 15^(th) . -   Flower type and habit: Single, alternate, cyme inflorescense. -   Number of flowers per plant: 250 or more. -   Time of day of flower opening: Morning, but it takes 3-5 days to     fully open. Fragrance: None. Longevity: Up to 2 weeks, depending on     environment. Flower height: 12 mm, including corolla tube. Flower     diameter: 15 mm. Bud (described just before opening):     -   -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Diameter.—3 mm.         -   Length.—12 mm.         -   Color.—44C near tip, 144A near calyx. -   Corolla.—     -   -   Diameter.—4 mm.         -   Depth.—16 mm.         -   Tube.—Length: 10 mm. Diameter: 4 mm. -   Petals:     -   -   Arrangement.—Whorl of 4 fused at base.         -   Quantity.—4.         -   Length.—8 mm.         -   Width.—6 mm.         -   Shape.—Ovate to round.         -   Apex.—Cuspidate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth, soft.         -   Color.—Upper surface: 45B. Lower surface: 43C. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—4.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Length.—8 mm.         -   Width—2 mm.         -   Color.—146C. -   Main stem peduncles.     -   -   Length.—18 mm.         -   Diameter.—3 mm.         -   Color.—146B.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Orientation.—5angle.         -   Strength.—Strong. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Length.—3 mm.         -   Width.—3 mm.         -   Color.—146B. -   Disease resistance: Present. -   Seed production: None observed. -   Fruit production: None observed.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number (per flower).—8.         -   Filament length.—6 mm and approximately 3 mm fused to             corolla tube.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Flat, elliptical. Length: Less than 1 mm.             Color: Yellow-Green.         -   Pollen.—Color: Yellow. Amount: Abundant. -   Pistils:     -   -   Length.—10 mm.         -   Styles.—Length: 3 mm. Color: Light yellow.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Flat. Color: White with a reddish tint when             mature. Ovary color: 146C. 

1. A new and distinct variety of kalanchoe plant named ‘Forever Midi Red’ as is herein described and illustrated. 